Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director, External Affairs, received the Laurence C. Walker Distinguished Service to Forestry Award at the Western Gulf States Society of American Foresters meeting in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Simpson, a graduate of Clemson University, began his career with Texas A&M Forest Service in 2000 as a Forester in Lufkin and has served in various forestry leadership roles within the agency.
As the agency’s Assistant Director, Simpson coordinates and implements strategic initiatives, business development opportunities and partner relations to ensure sustainable forestry policies, initiatives and funding are available throughout the state.
“Hughes’ leadership at Texas A&M Forest Service has contributed to countless conservation, partnership and organizational accomplishments,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service. “He has a strong understanding of traditional forestry practices with an adept ability to enact meaningful solutions that can bring together organizations, landowners and conservationists.”
Simpson has played crucial roles in developing forestry initiatives throughout Texas through leading and advancing the development of the Texas Forest Info website, the Texas Partnership for Forests and Water and the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute.
In conservation development, Simpson worked through the Texas Longleaf Team to help restore the native longleaf pine ecosystem in East Texas. In 2014, he developed the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program, which has provided over $2.4 million in financial assistance to landowners to restore and steward almost 50,000 acres of this iconic ecosystem.
“Hughes has been a key figure in building and maintaining effective partnerships between Texas A&M Forest Service and organizations like the Texas Forestry Association,” said Rob Hughes, Texas Forestry Association Executive Director. “He consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to sustainable forestry, land stewardship and the people who manage and depend on working forests.”
Annually, this award is presented by the Texas Society of American Foresters to members who demonstrate continual service and leadership to the Society of American Foresters, professional achievement in the field of forestry and service to their local or regional community.
This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Laurence C. Walker, the first dean of the School of Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University and a forestry historian and author.
In January 2025, Simpson received the Texas A&M Vice Chancellor’s Award for Public Service in Forestry.
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